Michigan's surge pushes stakes even higher for MSU matchup

As well as Michigan is already playing under new coach Jim Harbaugh, it would be easy for the Wolverines to get a little ahead of themselves.

It's all a bit surreal, the idea that Michigan State is undefeated and yet Michigan is favored to beat the Spartans this weekend.

The 12th-ranked Wolverines could try all they wanted to block out the hype, but Michigan's resurgence has raised the stakes for Saturday's game against seventh-ranked Michigan State. This is now much more than just a chance for Harbaugh to spoil the Spartans' unbeaten run. The winner of this matchup -- whoever it is -- becomes a clear contender for a Big Ten title and a spot in college football's playoff.

This Sept. 24, 2017, photo provided by Michael Kass shows Yann Arnaud during a Cirque du Soleil performance in Toronto. Arnaud died early Sunday, March 18, 2018, after falling while performing during a show on Saturday in Tampa, Fla. (Michael Kass via AP)

A Cirque du Soleil performer died Saturday night after he fell during a performance in Tampa, Florida.